The Los Angeles Kings are hoping to get back to the postseason and finally get past the [https://www.nhl.com/news/why-los-angeles-kings-are-eliminated-from-2024-2025-postseason#] first round, but one thing is looming over them as the season inches closer, and that's the pending contract status of forward Adrian Kempe. In a recent article [https://www.thefourthperiod.com/pagnotta/eyes-on-mcdavid-kaprizov-others-as-september-arrives] from David Pagnotta with The Fourth Period, he reports that Kempe is looking for an eight-year deal around the $10 million mark annually, while the Kings started talks under $9 million annually. Kempe, who is 28 years old, is entering the final season of his current four-year deal that has a $5,500,000 cap hit. Last season, he scored 35 goals and added 38 assists for 73 points through 81 games, which comes out to a 0.90 points-per-game average. With over $33 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season, the Kings have more than enough flexibility to try and get a deal done with Kempe at their price tag. Time will tell what the final deal looks like, but it seems as though the two sides remain extremely interested in getting a deal done. Stay tuned in with [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/players/kings-darcy-kuemper-ranked-top-10-goaltender-on-ea-sports-nhl-26] your Los Angeles Kings here at The Hockey News, as the 2025-26 season inches closer.
